How do I put my health insurance to use when needed on Kilimanjaro?

Make sure you are medically covered up to 6,000 meters above sea level and ask the tour operator for the Climbing Manifest and Liability Form. After you sign those forms the only thing awaited for will be to receive a distress call from the guide then the tour operators will execute the evacuation. On the Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest point a helicopter can land is at Kibo Hut Camp. If you are in much higher altitude than this you will have to be supported to get there by a stretcher for carrying patients. You will then be taken to a Medical Clinic where you will be given further medical attention and when you are fully recovered, the tour operator will take the responsibility of taking you to the lodge or hotel they or you have arranged.

Your travel insurance will need to cover medical expenses that could arise while traveling abroad. In the case of a Kilimanjaro climb, you’ll need to make sure that it covers you for medical evacuation too. Unexpected injuries and doctor visits need to be covered, and emergency evacuation expenses should you need to be airlifted off the mountain. Those situations are rare, but they do occur and you need the proper insurance. When purchasing travel insurance it is important you understand exactly what it does, and doesn’t cover. Most basic plans will offer basic protection for trip cancellation, lost bags, and delayed flights. However, if you need coverage beyond of those medical expenses, evacuation, then you will likely to purchase a higher tier policy. It’s important that whatever policy you choose also covers high altitude activities. That isn’t the case with every insurance plan.

Explain to your insurance company that you are not taking part in technical mountaineering, but that you are high altitude trekking up to 6,000m, to ensure you are covered for medical evacuation to your home country, you might consider a standalone medical evacuation plan. This is in addition to your standard travel policy that covers you for high altitude trekking. Most standard health insurance policies do not cover you for adventure activities abroad. It certainly won’t cover you for lost baggage or abandonment of your trip or cancellations. It’s mandatory to have travel insurance that covers you for high altitude trekking up to 6,000 meters if you plan to climb Kilimanjaro.

Due to the high altitude, remote location, and demanding conditions of a Kilimanjaro trek, travel insurance is compulsory for all participants. Travel Insurance covers risks during travel such as loss of passport and personal belonging cover, loss of checked in baggage and so on. Having these risks covered ensures an additional layer of protection against financial loss. Also the travel insurance protects your finances.

Kilimanjaro Travel Insurance

Your Kilimanjaro Travel Insurance must cover:
Helicopter evacuation as it is really necessary
It should cover the cost of getting home if you miss the flight due to accident, injury, illness

Your insurance should also protect from standard travel dangers which include baggage delay, loss of personal items, etc. both in the cases of Kilimanjaro Climbing Solo or in a group. Your travel insurance for High Altitude Trekking is essential, especially while trekking in remote regions where medical facilities or assistance may not be closely available. Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is one of the big challenge that would be a real challenge and adventures tours.

What are the Travel Insurance Tips for Kilimanjaro Climbers?

You’ll enjoy your holiday better with the peace of mind that comes from knowing you have the right insurance cover in place should a mishap occur.
This can be anything from lost or stolen luggage to a full helicopter rescue of a mountain.
As you are on a high altitude level, you may also suffer from altitude sickness which will make you not able to continue to travel.
You will need to be evacuated via helicopter and if you have insurance this will be easier for you.

Travel insurance is essential for any trip but is particularly important when undertaking potentially hazardous activities such as trekking in remote regions where medical facilities or assistance may not be close at hand. You’ll enjoy your holiday better with the peace of mind that comes from knowing you have the right travel insurance cover in place for climbing Kilimanjaro should a mishap occur. This can be anything from lost or stolen luggage to a full helicopter rescue off a mountain. For trekking, you need to ensure that your travel insurance covers you for altitude. Most standard policies provide cover for walking up to a maximum of 2,500 meters.

Climbing Kilimanjaro can accidentally put you in dangerous way. So getting the best insurance cover is necessary. Of everything you do in Africa, nothing can land you in hospital as quickly as climbing Kilimanjaro. If you do develop altitude sickness, expect a few days in Arusha hospital and some extra nights at a hotel, all at your expense. You may feel it's more necessary for countries like these, but, in general, travel insurance is usually worth it. You should ensure you and your loved ones are properly covered on holiday. Accidents can happen and they're more difficult to deal with away from home.

According to Kilimanjaro national park authority every clients should have travel insurance which will cover these emergency which could occur on mountain. Climbing Kilimanjaro comes with many risks. It is important that you get adequate insurance for your Kilimanjaro climb. Most standard travel insurance policies will not cover high altitude treks.